ONE year ahead of his team-mates, Fazakerley football ace John Paul Kissock is set to face Scotland for England under-16s - at just 14 years old.

The Everton Academy forward, (right), a student at Archbishop Beck school, has been called up into the squad for the clash with the Auld Enemy at Blackpool's Broomfield Road ground on Friday (7.45pm) one year ahead of expectations - and one year ahead of fellow local internationals Ray Putterill (Liverpool) and Lee Molyneux (Everton).

He told Junior Xsport: "I didn't know anything about it, it came as a total shock.

"Until last season I always played with my own age group, but last year I went up to the under-14s."

"I also played for the under-18s in the Youth Cup at Goodison Park against Aston Villa and against Liverpool in a 1-1 draw. I really enjoy playing above my age, it's fantastic experience. The games are much faster and when I go back down I find things much easier."

The striker is that rare animal in football - a genuinely two-footed player. And his abilities with both feet helped him notch nine goals in fifteen games for his club last season.

He added: "I think my biggest strengths as a player are my dribbling, passing and work rate, although I have worked hard on my shooting and it has improved."

The youngster, who signed for the Everton Academy at seven, started his career as a six-year-old with Key Ways, coached by manager Martin Waldron.

"He was in the best team I have ever seen at that age group," said Waldron. "They won everything going. We used to take them away to tournaments and they would win.

"Remarkably, five of the team are now at Academies. Charlie Barnett is at Liverpool, but John Irvine, Lee Molyneux, Kieron Kelly and John Paul are all with Everton.

"Thankfully most of them had the good sense to sign for the Blues!"

When he first signed for Everton, Kissock trained two nights a week and played one game. These days the work load has become much tougher as he strives to be a professional.

"I want to play for Everton so I train five nights a week and I am also released from school on a Tuesday and Friday to train with the youth team," he said.

"The school provides me with special mentoring sessions so my work does not suffer," he said.

"The people who have helped me the most are my mum and dad, and my brother Lee who is 24 and plays for Runcorn.

"Neil Dewsnip is the coach who has helped me develop as a player the most at Everton."